Tony Mowbray insisted there were signs of the old Ipswich Town sparkle during Saturday's 3-1 setback at Reading.

The caretaker-boss hoping to land the job on a permanent basis could only watch in dismay as Nicky Forster chalked up a hat-trick for the Royals.

Darren Ambrose curled home Ipswich's consolation from a 30-yard free-kick but it proved too little, too late.

And to add insult to injury, the Blues were reduced to ten men when Pablo Counago was red-carded for shoving Adrian Williams.

Nevertheless, Mowbray said: "There were some good things and plenty of positive aspects for us to work on in training.

"There were signs that our movement is coming back and for spells we showed what a good side we can be.

"I was particularly pleased for Darren. He's a special talent and when he's on the ball he's exciting to watch."

Published Monday October 21, 2002

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